The PSP homebrew community found a ray of hope for the PSP-3000 at the start of the new year when MaTiAz found a critical exploit in the old PSP title by Sidhe Interactive, GripShift. This paved the way for users to run homebrew on the unhacked PSP model despite the lack of custom firmware. Here's QuickJump QuickGuide Issue #6 - say hello to the Gripshift exploit.

The PSP homebrew community's working on overtime since the discovery of the exploit found in GripShift. The guys from PSPGEN already have a working Homebrew Enabler that was made using the exploit. Vid after the link.

Big thanks to Wiggunow for the tip!

Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums

*UPDATE* Exploit was created using Team C+D leak. Link.

Following news of some "enterprising individuals" on eBay who want to make a quick buck, we now have this. Guess what I found on Amazon earlier while I was snooping around? A US$ 130 GripShift for sale! Like whoa, talk about losing your grip! Question is... you know GripShift should be somewhere around US$ 15 or less. But... are you desperate enough?

Visit: QJ.NET PSP Games forum

 

Despite the fact that it's been around for quite a while now, it looks like people are still spreading the GripShift love... and just in time for Valentine's, too! Over at the GripShift website, the folks from Sidhe Interactive have recently featured a fan-made custom track that was submitted to them. Created with the in-game track editor, the entire Valentine's day track still manages to stay within the 200-piece limit, AND still get points for being cute.

Dubbed as "Falling In Love", the custom track includes a whole set of obstacles, which should send some particularly imaginative people into fits of metaphors and allegories. If you're not into that kind of thing, though, then we'll just warn you that it's pretty easy to fall off the track, and watch out for those mechanical crushers.

The track is up for download over at the GripShift website, and is available in US, European/Australian, and Japanese editions.

We have posted the Ever Loading Story of Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 several days ago – finally we know how long a game takes to load itself before you can get your hands in. This time SteveZ has made a contrast of GripShift and Smackdown vs. Raw 2006 – and this time we got our salvation: at least some games on the PSP do let us play quite some time while some were just busy loading…

The original video is on [YouTube]. But we have hosted it here in case this one got taken down again. The format of the video is FLV. You will need Riva FLV Player to play it. The original ELS (Ever Loading Story) video was also changed back to the FLV format for better compatibility.

Download: [ELS II – GripShift]

Thanks for the email, Steve!

Wellington, NZ - 5th December 2005 - Sidhe Interactive's GripShift(tm) for Sony PlayStation(tm) Portable has been recognized for it's originality, and superior level and game design at the 2005 Australian Game Developers Awards in Melbourne, Australia.  The title was awarded "Best Level Design", "Best Game Design" and "Best Handheld Game" at the event attended by game industry representatives from around the world.

GripShift(tm) successfully fuses platform, driving and puzzle elements to create a unique gameplay experience for PSP(tm). GripShift's design has been popular with media and gamers alike, including respected videogame magazine Edge UK who in a recent issue described GripShift(tm) as "one of PSP's finest and full-featured games to date".

"GripShift was a labor of love for Sidhe.  To have its originality and design values recognized and awarded by our peers is a fantastic validation"
said Mario Wynands, Managing Director of Sidhe Interactive. "Being able to offer fans an innovative title like GripShift at a compelling price for the holiday season is great, but it's also nice to receive industry praise"

Sidhe Interactive also received the Industry Contribution Award, recognizing its longstanding efforts and involvement in growing the Game Development Industry in New Zealand and Australasia.

In its seventh year, the AGDC awards have been an important part of the Australian Game Developers Conference, which have worked to educate and acknowledge the vibrant Game Development scene in Australasia. Other award entrants included "Destroy All Humans", "Ty the Tasmanian Tiger 3", and "Heroes of the Pacific" which won the "Best Game of 2005" Award.

GripShift combines high-flying stunt driving and unique puzzle-solving action in an all-out, pedal-to-the-metal racing experience. Players will race as one of six unique characters in supped-up, customizable vehicles as they stunt their way through insane twisting levels while collecting power-ups, avoiding traps, beating the clock and challenging friends. Featuring more than 100 levels of puzzle-like challenges, and additional bonus games, players can race solo or with up to three other players via the PSP system's built-in wireless feature. The game also boasts unlockable racing circuits, bonus games and the ability to create custom tracks with the in-game Track Editor and share them wirelessly with other players.

Game development studio Sidhe Interactive announced today that their original title, GripShift(tm) for PlayStation(tm) Portable, would be released in Europe on 11 November, Australia on 17 November and New Zealand on 18 November 2005.

GripShift(tm) mixes platform, driving and puzzle elements to create a unique
gameplay experience for PSP(tm).

"The PlayStation Portable is a fantastic platform, offering fun new gaming possibilities.  GripShift was designed from the ground up specifically to take advantage of this great new handheld" said Mario Wynands, Managing Director of Sidhe Interactive.  "With a very competitive price point and a huge amount of content on offer, GripShift is the perfect purchase for new PSP owners".

The features of GripShift(tm) include

- Stunt Driving, Platform-Action and Puzzle Solving genres combined offer the ultimate on-the-go driving experience.
- More than 100 diverse levels in 4 themed worlds with brilliant 3D graphics, vibrant colour, dynamic visual effects, and full screen anti-aliasing.
- Multiple routes, short-cuts, loops, jumps, ramps, power-ups and dangers to avoid will challenge even the most skilled drivers.
- Exciting Race Mode provides action for players to race against the CPU or human drivers.
- 8 Bonus games including Penguin Bowling, Bomb Pool, Soccer Crazy, Snaker, Ice Hockey and more offer varied challenges to suit your mood.
- Wireless multiplayer action for up to 4 players.
- Create custom levels with the in-game Track Editor and share them wirelessly with friends or trade over the Internet via PC for ongoing fun.
- Choose one of 6 playable characters and customise your vehicles for a unique look.
- Short load times keep you in the action, not waiting around.

"We have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from fans on our message boards and across the Internet" said GripShift(tm) producer and designer, Andy Satterthwaite.  "We look forward to seeing the unique level solutions and custom track creations of a whole new set of gamers in the PAL territories".

New screenshots and video:

Download the video from gripshiftgame.com [here].

  
  
  
  
  
  
 

Sony announced today that stunt-happy racer GripShift is now shipping to North American retailers. Developed by Sidhe Interactive and co-published by Red Mile Entertainment, GripShift offers stunt racing through twisting high-altitude levels. Along the way, you'll want to collect power-ups, solve puzzles, avoid nasty traps, and do it all fast enough to beat the clock. Of course, you can also race against up to three others via WiFi connectivity. GripShift even lets you create your own levels to share with others.

Multi-title publishing deal brings new titles for holiday season

Today Ubisoft, one of the world's largest videogame publishers, announced it has signed a deal with Sony Online Entertainment Inc. (SOE) to publish multiple titles for PSPTM system in Europe, Asia and Australia. The first two titles related to the deal are the platform, puzzle action-driving title GripShiftTM and the puzzle adventure title FRANTIX.

Ubisoft and SOE have been working together for several years, notably on the European publishing and support of the EverQuest® series. This deal, however, marks the first time the two will collaborate on titles for the PSP system.

Designed for the PSP system by Sidhe Interactive and co-published by Red Mile EntertainmentTM, GripShift combines the adrenalin rush of 3D stunt driving with the mental challenge of puzzle-solving in an action-packed driving experience. Players can race the clock, compete in wireless multiplayer mode as well as custom-design their own levels.

FRANTIX puts players to the test frantically solving puzzles as they explore surreal worlds in beautiful 3D. With over 180 levels to play through, each with unique obstacles and challenges, it is one of the first character-based 3D puzzle-solving adventures for the PSP system.

"Ubisoft continues to extend its full support to the new PSP system, and we are delighted that Sony Online Entertainment has selected our company to bring these great PSP system titles to players across the globe in Europe, Asia and Australia," declared Alain Corre, Ubisoft's executive director for EMEA territories.

"We are thrilled to be working with Ubisoft so that PSP system owners continue to benefit from an increasingly broad catalogue of games designed to take advantage of the unique capabilities of this revolutionary portable console," said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment.

GripShift and FRANTIX will be available in stores for the 2005 holiday season at a suggested retail price of £19.99.


Gripshift


Frantix